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Messi Individual brilliance Sends Barca Top

The La Liga champions went ahead after just eight minutes, as Arda Turan picked out Messi with a neat pass and the Argentine slotted into the bottom corner.

The lead was doubled in the 14th minute. Luis Suarez did well dummy his opponent, before picking out Messi for the simplest of tap-ins.

Suarez then squandered a chance to get his name on the score-sheet 10 minutes later. The Uruguayan played a neat one-two with Neymar, before skewing his effort wide of the upright with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Dora came to Granada's rescue in the 39th minute, as the defender popped up with brilliant block to deny Messi a certain goal from close range.

The visitors nearly pulled one back just before the break, as former Barcelona player Rochina fired a stinging effort just wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

Messi completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute with calm finish from 12-yards out, after Neymar's effort had crashed against the upright.

Luis Enrique decided to introduce Adriano and Dani Alves for the remaining 20 minutes, as Barcelona were comfortably in front.

Neymar eventually added his name to the score-sheer in the 83rd minute with a composed finish at the far post, after being picked out by Suarez. His second assist of the game.